The viscoelastic properties of mucus rely on the polymeric gel-forming mucins (mostly MUC5AC and MUC5B in the lungs), which are among the largest glycoproteins in the animal world. Working with mucus can be challenging because of the size of these mucin molecules and the complex ultrastructure and intermingled organization of mucin polymers. Dr. Ehre has established a series of assays to study mucin-mucin and mucin-DNA interactions based on confocal imaging, fluorescence-based quantification and multi-angle light scattering analysis, as well as techniques to measure changes in rheology.